‘Volker says the county could make an extra 10 million dollars if the Sabres keep winning. Plus, he says it will see millions more in state aid next year, and that will be good news for taxpayers. “We anticipate that there will absolutely be no reason to even consider a propert tax increase next year,” said Volker.’

'The Buffalo Sabres will hold their fourth annual Winter Hockey Clinic on Feb. 20 and 21 at HSBC Arena. Each participant will receive: lessons and tips from former Sabre Danny Gare, on-ice instruction, a Sabres hat and two 300 level tickets for one of four Sabres games (Atlanta on March 1, Boston on March 7, Tampa Bay on March 9 or Carolina on March 22).'

‘These Sabres have a prime opportunity to leave their own mark and, with only Chris Drury headed for Turin, they should be well-rested for the most promising stretch run of the millennium. The prospect is just one more reason to look forward to the Olympics ending.’

'"It is such a huge thing to represent your country with all the other athletes that are there," said Numminen, a native of Tampere, Finland, now in his first season with the Sabres. "The older you get, the older being in the Olympics doesn't get. I know that time is running out on my career. You don't get that many chances in a hockey career to go to the Olympics. As I've gotten older, I appreciate the opportunity to go even more. I know that I was only 19 when I got my first chance to go. You appreciate it. But maybe not as much when you were 19."'

‘”He’s a heart-and-soul player,” Sabres co-captain Daniel Briere said. “He’s the type of guy you want on your side because he’s probably the hardest worker on our team and he’s going to be the same way over there.”‘

‘IIHF.com: Buffalo’s been one of the surprise success stories in the new NHL. How do you explain it?

Chris Drury: Simply put, I think we’ve just been working a little better than we were two years ago. We’ve paid more attention to detail, and we’ve been doing the little things that add up to a lot of big things, and winning some games.’